Dicky Christanto, Jakarta – Growing aggressive with its antiterrorism measures, the government is devising a legal tool that would expand the scope of prosecution, targeting hate-inciting clerics and members of organizations linked to acts of terror.
The legal tool, which would take the form of an amendment to the antiterrorism law, is currently being drafted by the Law and Human Rights Ministry and will be submitted to the House of Representatives next year.
Speaking at a seminar on terrorism in Jakarta on Thursday, Zafirullah Salim, the ministry's director of designing regulations and laws, said the amendment would give law enforcement officers grounds to arrest, with enough proof, "those who often incite hatred and members of [terrorist] organizations".
The expanded prosecution, which some critics claim could be exploited, is in response to past difficulties to prevent the spread of radical doctrine and religious dogmas that fueled acts of terror, one example being sermons by radical cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir.
Last week, Ba'asyir was sentenced to 15 years in prison, not for decades of hateful and murderous teachings, but for his involvement in the planning and financing of a terrorist training camp in Aceh.
Salim said the ministry was drafting another law on financing terrorism that would see harsher sentences imposed on organizers and financiers of terrorist activity.
"We must deliberate these drafts carefully to avoid blunders in the future," he said, adding that there were currently seven provisions in the draft still being debated, including on de-radicalization measures.
So far, de-radicalization efforts are conducted only sporadically by concerned individuals, most of them police officials and NGOs, highlighting the government's lack of involvement.
National Counterterrorism Agency deputy chief Brig. Gen. Tito Karnavian acknowledged the importance of effective de-radicalization. "We can jail someone, for example, in relation to incitement. But that person could be a hero when they leave prison in one or two years," he said.
Tito said there was a need for a comprehensive approach to identify areas and communities influenced by radicalism to neutralize them in the future.
Salim acknowledged the ministry and related stakeholders were struggling to determine relevant parameters for the implementation of de-radicalization programs.
He said preliminary discussions of the topic recommended that trained psychologists treat convicted terrorists, but added that further discussions were needed.
Many convicted terrorists are able to spread their radical ideas beyond prison walls, he added, citing the example of Oman Abdurrahman, who amassed a large following at several penitentiaries in West Java.
The amendment to the antiterrorism law would also provide legal grounds for "comprehensive protection" of anyone linked to a terrorism trial, from witnesses, prosecutors, judges and family members.